Telescopic Wand for a Vacuum Cleaner

ABSTRACT

A telescopic wand for a vacuum cleaner includes an inner tube, an outer tube, and a catch, wherein the inner tube includes multiple projections, the outer tube includes a pair of bosses, and the catch includes a locking stub. The catch pivotally attaches to the outer tube and pivots between lock and unlock positions. The locking stub projects between two of the projections in the lock position and is lifted clear of the projections in the unlock position. Applying a push or pull force to the wand when in the locked position causes a first projection to abut a side of the locking stub and the bosses to abut an opposite side thereof, and applying the push or pull force to the wand when in the unlock position causes the inner tube to slide relative to the outer tube and the second projection to pass between the bosses.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to United Kingdom Application No. 1519658.7, filed Nov. 6, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a telescopic wand for a vacuum cleaner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The telescopic wand of a vacuum cleaner may comprise an inner tube, an outer tube, and a catch for locking the position of the inner tube relative to the outer tube. The catch may be pivotally attached to the outer tube for movement between a lock position and an unlock position. When the catch is in the lock position, push and pull forces applied to the wand must be borne by the pivot. However, the applied force can be significant and thus the required pivot may compromise the size and/or the assembly of the wand. Additionally, depending on the location of the pivot, the catch may pivot downwards or upwards in response to the applied force. With sufficient applied force, the catch may jam in the lock position or pivot to the unlock position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a telescopic wand for a vacuum cleaner, the wand comprising an inner tube, an outer tube, and a catch, wherein: the inner tube comprises a plurality of projections, the outer tube comprises a pair of bosses, and the catch comprises a locking stub; the catch is pivotally attached to the outer tube and pivots between a lock position and an unlock position; the locking stub projects into a recess between two of the projections when the catch is in the lock position, and the locking stub is lifted clear of the projections when the catch is in the unlock position; applying a push or pull force to the wand when the catch is in the lock position causes a first of the two projections to abut a side of the locking stub and the bosses to abut an opposite side of the locking stub; and applying the push or pull force to the wand when the catch is in the unlock position causes the inner tube to slide relative to the outer tube and a second of the two projections to pass between the bosses.

Consequently, when the catch is in the lock position and a push or pull force is applied to the wand, the force of the first projection on the catch is opposed by the bosses. The pivot between the catch and the outer tube is not therefore required to bear the full magnitude of the applied force. As a result, a smaller pivot may be employed that would otherwise yield if subjected to the full magnitude of the applied force.

When the catch is in the unlock position and the push or pull force is applied to the wand, the inner tube slides relative to the outer tube and the second of the two projections passes between the bosses. By having an arrangement in which the second projection passes between the bosses, it is possible to locate the bosses at a similar height to that of the first projection. This then has the benefit that, when the catch is in the lock position and a push or pull force is applied to the wand, the force applied by the bosses to the catch may have a similar line of action to that applied by the first projection. As a result, the catch experiences less torque and is therefore less likely to pivot when the push or pull force is applied.

The inner tube may comprise a flat section from which the projections project, and the flat section may be wider than the projections such that the flat section extends along either side of each projection. This then has the benefit that the bosses of the outer tube may be located at the same or a similar height as the projections in a relatively compact manner In particular, the outer tube may have an inner diameter that is only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner tube so as to permit sliding movement. The flat surface of the inner tube then provides the space for the bosses of the outer tube.

The inner tube may have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a major segment of a circle or oval, and the flat surface may correspond to the chord of the major segment. Furthermore, the outer tube may have a cross-sectional shape that is circular or oval.

The catch may pivot about a pivot point that is located above the projections. This then has the advantage that a relatively compact catch may be employed. In the absence of the bosses, a moment of force or torque may be exerted on the catch in response to the push or pull force. This torque would then cause the catch to pivot downwards or upwards, which may cause the catch to jam in the lock position or move to the unlock position. By employing an arrangement in which the second projection passes between the bosses, the net force applied by the bosses may have a similar line of action to that applied by the first projection. As a result, the catch experiences less torque in response to the applied force. It is therefore possible to locate the pivot point above the projections without fear of the catch becoming jammed in the lock position or moving to the unlock position.

The outer tube may comprise a pair of further bosses. Applying a push force to the wand when the catch is in the lock position then causes the first projection to abut the side of the locking stub and the bosses to abut the opposite side of the locking stub. Furthermore, applying a pull force to the wand when the catch is in the lock position causes the second projection to abut the opposite side of the locking stub and the further bosses to abut the side of the locking stub. As a result, the pivot between the catch and the outer tube is not required to bear either a push force or a pull force.

When the catch is in the unlock position and the push or pull force is applied to the wand, the inner tube may slide relative to the outer tube and the first projection may pass between the further bosses. By having an arrangement in which the first projection passes between the further bosses, it is possible to locate the further bosses at a similar height to that of the second projection. This then has the benefit that, when the catch is in the lock position and a pull force is applied to the wand, the force applied by the further bosses to the catch may have a similar line of action to that applied by the second projection. As a result, the catch experiences less torque and is therefore less likely to move inadvertently to the unlock position when the pull force is applied.

When the catch is in the lock position and the push or pull force is applied to the wand, the first projection may be said to apply a first force to the locking stub and the bosses may be said to apply a second force to the locking stub. The second force may then be equal and opposite to the first force and have the same line of action as the first force. As a result, the pivot is not required to bear any of the applied force. Moreover, no torque is exerted on the catch and thus the catch does not pivot in response to the applied force.

The present invention also provides a telescopic wand for a vacuum cleaner, the wand comprising an inner tube, an outer tube, and a catch, wherein: the inner tube comprises a plurality of projections, the outer tube comprises a pair of bosses, and the catch comprises a locking stub; the catch is pivotally attached to the outer tube and pivots between a lock position and an unlock position; the locking stub projects into a recess between two of the projections when the catch is in the lock position, and the locking stub is lifted clear of the projections when the catch is in the unlock position; applying a push or pull force to the wand when the catch is in the lock position causes a first of the two projections to apply a first force to the locking stub and the bosses to apply a second force to the locking stub, the second force being equal and opposite to the first force and having the same line of action as the first force.

Since the bosses apply a force to the locking stub that is equal and opposite to and has the same line of action as the force applied by the first projection, the pivot between the catch and the outer tube is not required to bear the push or pull force. It is therefore possible to employ a pivot that would otherwise yield if subjected to the push or pull force. Moreover, since the forces applied by the bosses and the first projection have the same line of action, no torque is exerted on the catch as a result of the push or pull force and thus inadvertent pivoting of the catch may be avoided.

The outer tube may comprise a pair of further bosses. Applying a push force to the wand when the catch is in the lock position then causes the first of the two projections to apply the first force to the locking stub. Furthermore, applying a pull force to the wand when the catch is in the lock position causes a second of the two projections to apply a third force to the locking stub and the further bosses to apply a fourth force to the locking stub. The fourth force may then be equal and opposite to the third force and have the same line of action as the third force. As a result, the pivot between the catch and the outer tube is not required to bear either a push force or a pull force, and no torque is exerted on the catch as a result of the push or pull force.

In the present description, the terms ‘upward’, ‘downward’, ‘above’ and ‘below’ are made with reference to the central longitudinal axis of the tubes. Consequently, the terms ‘upward’ and ‘downward’ should be understood to mean in directions away from and towards the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, where a first feature is described as being located ‘above’ or ‘below’ a second feature, this should be understood to mean that the first feature is located further from or closer to the longitudinal axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a telescopic wand in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the telescopic wand;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a section through the telescopic wand;

FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 3 but with a catch of the telescopic wand omitted in order to better illustrate certain features of the wand;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a sectional slice through the telescopic wand with the catch in a lock position;

FIG. 6 is the same view as FIG. 5 but with the catch in an unlock position;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the section illustrated in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the boxed area of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The telescopic wand 1 of FIGS. 1 to 8 comprises an inner tube 2, an outer tube 3, and a catch assembly 4.

The inner tube 2 is roughly cylindrical in shape. However, the top of the tube 2 comprises a flat section 20. As a result, the inner tube has a cross-sectional shape that resembles the major segment of a circle, with the chord of the segment defining the flat section 20. The inner tube 2 comprises a plurality of projections 21 that project upwardly from the flat section 20. The gap between each pair of projections 21 defines a recess 22 into which a locking stub 44 of the catch assembly 4 projects; this is described below in more detail. A first end of the inner tube 2 is attachable to a cleaner head or accessory (not shown), and a second opposite end of the inner tube 2 is received within the outer tube 3. The inner tube 2 slides relative to the outer tube 3 along a central longitudinal axis 23, and a seal 24 is provided at the second end of the inner tube 2 so as to minimise leaks between the inner tube 2 and the outer tube 3.

The outer tube 3 is cylindrical in shape. A first end of the outer tube 3 surrounds the inner tube 2, and a second opposite end is attachable to a handle or hose (not shown). An opening 31 is formed in the top of the outer tube 3 and is located towards the first end of the tube 3. The outer tube 3 comprises a pair of lugs 32 located on opposite sides of the opening 31, and a stop 33 located at one end of the opening 31. As explained below, the lugs 32 act as fulcrums for the catch assembly 4, whilst the stop 33 acts to limit movement of the catch assembly 4. The outer tube 3 further comprises a pair of front bosses 34 and a pair of rear bosses 35. The front bosses 34 are located in front of the locking stub 44 of the catch assembly 4, and the rear bosses 35 are located behind the locking stub 44. The bosses 34,35 are located approximately at the same height as that of the projections 21. Furthermore, the bosses of each pair 34,35 are located on opposite sides of the projections 21. Consequently, when the inner tube 2 slides relative to the outer tube 3, the projections 21 passes between the front bosses 34 and between the rear bosses 35. As explained below, when a push or pull force is applied to the wand 1, the bosses 34,35 act to oppose the force applied by the projections 21 to the locking stub 44.

The catch assembly 4 comprises a catch 41 and a spring 42.

The catch 41 is a unitary body that comprises a button 43 and a locking stub 44. The catch 41 is pivotally mounted to the outer tube 3 at a pivot point 45 located between the button 43 and the locking stub 44. More particularly, the catch 41 comprises a pair of recesses 46 located on opposite sides of the catch 41. The lugs 32 of the outer tube 3, which are roughly triangular in shape, are seated in the recesses 46 and act as fulcrums for the catch 41.

The spring 42 is a leaf spring that is secured at one end to the underside of the catch 41 and at the opposite end to the inside of the outer tube 3. The spring 42 applies a biasing force to the catch that pulls the locking stub 44 downwards towards the inner tube 2.

The catch 41 pivots between a lock position (FIG. 5) and an unlock position (FIG. 6). The catch 41 is biased by the spring 42 to the lock position. When the catch 41 is in the lock position, the locking stub 44 projects into a recess 22 between two of the projections 21 of the inner tube 2. Movement of the inner tube 2 relative to the outer tube 3 is then prevented. In particular, when the inner tube 2 is moved to the left or right, the locking stub 44 abuts one of the projections 21 so as to prevent any further movement. The catch 41 is moved to the unlock position by depressing the button 43. When the button 43 is depressed, the catch 41 pivots about the pivot point 45 against the biasing force of the spring 42. As a result, the locking stub 44 pivots upwards. The locking stub 44 is then lifted clear of the recess 22 and the projections 21. The inner tube 2 is then free to slide left and right relative to the outer tube 3. When the button 43 is released, the spring 42 biases the locking stub 44 downwards. Depending on the position of the inner tube 2, the locking stub 44 is biased down into one of the recesses 22 or onto one of the projections 21. In the former case, the catch 41 is returned to the lock position. In the latter case, further movement of the inner tube 2 causes the locking stub 44 to slide on top of the projection 21 until such time as the locking stub 44 aligns with and snaps into one of the recesses 22, at which point the catch 41 is returned to the lock position.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the stop 33 of the outer tube 3 limits both the upward and downward movement of the catch 41. When the button 43 is depressed and the locking stub 44 pivots upwards, the locking stub 44 abuts the underside of the stop 33 when the locking stub 44 is clear of the projections 21. Further downward travel of the button 43 is therefore prevented and thus the user is provided with an indication that the catch 41 is in the unlock position. When the button 43 is released and the spring 42 biases the locking stub 44 downwards, the catch 41 abuts the top of the stop 33 when the catch 41 is level with the outer tube 3. Consequently, although the locking stub 44 projects into the recess 22 when the catch 41 is in the lock position, there is nevertheless a small clearance between the bottom of the locking stub 44 and the top of the inner tube 2. By stopping the catch 41 at a position level with the outer tube 3, the catch 41 is flush with the outer tube 3 when in the lock position. This then has the advantage that the catch 41 does not inadvertently snag on items, such as upholstery or curtains, during use.

A more detailed description will now be provided of the interactions that occur between the catch 41, the inner tube 2 and the outer tube 3 when the catch 41 is in the lock position and a push or pull force is applied to the wand 1. A push or pull force is one that encourages the inner tube 2 to move relative to the outer tube 3 along the longitudinal axis 23. A push force then acts in a direction that encourages the inner tube 2 to move towards the outer tube 3, whilst a pull force acts in a direction that encourages the inner tube 2 to move away from the outer tube 3. So when the catch 41 is in the unlock position and a push force is applied to the wand 1, the inner tube 2 and the outer tube 3 are brought together and the length of the wand 1 contracts. Conversely, when the catch 41 is in the unlock position and a pull force is applied to the wand 1, the inner tube 2 and the outer tube 3 separate and the length of the wand 1 expands.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the wand 1 with the catch 41 in the lock position. The locking stub 44 projects into a recess 22 between a first projection 21 a and a second projection 21 b of the inner tube 2.

When a push force is applied to the wand 1, the inner tube 2 moves relative to the outer tube 3 and the catch 41 in a direction towards the right. The first projection 21 a then abuts a first side 47 of the locking stub 44 and applies a first force to the locking stub 44. There is a degree of play in the pivot between the catch 41 and the outer tube 3; that is to say that the catch 41 is free to move relative to the outer tube 3 to the left and right by a small amount before the lugs 32 of the outer tube 3 engage with the walls of the recesses 46 in the catch 41 (see FIG. 7). Consequently, in response to the first force, the catch 41 moves relative to the outer tube 3 in a direction towards the right. The rear bosses 35 then abut a second opposite side 48 of the locking stub 44 and apply a second force to the locking stub 44. The second force is equal and opposite to the first force and has the same line of action as the first force. As a result, further movement of the inner tube 2 to the right is prevented.

When a pull force is applied to the wand 1, the inner tube 2 moves relative to the outer tube 3 and the catch 41 in a direction towards the left. The second projection 21 b then abuts the second side 48 of the locking stub 44 and applies a third force to the locking stub 44. Owing to the degree of play in the pivot between the catch 41 and the outer tube 3, the third force causes the catch 41 to move relative to the outer tube 3 in a direction towards the left. The front bosses 34 then abut the first side 47 of the locking stub 44 and apply a fourth force to the locking stub 44. The fourth force is equal and opposite to the third force, and has the same line of action as the third force. As a result, further movement of the inner tube 2 to the left is prevented.

Irrespective of whether a push force or a pull force is applied to the wand 1, the bosses 34,35 apply a force to the locking stub 44 that is equal and opposite to and has the same line of action as the force applied by the projection 21 of the inner tube 2. As a result, the pivot between the catch 41 and the outer tube 3 is not required to bear the push or pull force. It is therefore possible to employ a pivot that would otherwise yield if subjected to the push force or pull force.

The bosses 34,35 apply a force having the same line of action as that applied by the projection 21. This is made possible by locating the bosses 34,35 on opposite sides of the projection 21 at approximately the same height as the projection 21. As a consequence of locating the bosses 34,35 in this manner, the projections 21 pass between the bosses 34,35 when the catch 41 is in the unlock position and a push or pull force is applied to the wand 1.

The catch 41 pivots relative to the outer tube 3 at a point 45 that is located above the projections 21. Consequently, if the bosses 34,35 were omitted and the pivot were designed to withstand the applied force, the force applied to the catch 41 by the outer tube 3 would have a different line of action to that applied to the catch 41 by the projections 21. In particular, the force applied by the outer tube 3 would have a higher line of action. As a result, a moment of force or torque would be exerted on the catch 41. This torque would cause the locking stub 44 to pivot downwards or upwards depending on whether the applied force is a push force or a pull force. The stop 33 of the outer tube 3 would prevent the locking stub 44 from pivoting downwards. However, the locking stub 44 may pivot upwards against the biasing force of the spring 42. If the force applied to the wand 1 were sufficiently strong, the catch 41 could move to the unlock position. By providing the bosses 34,35, no torque is exerted on the catch 41. As a result, the pivot point 45 of the catch 41 may be located above the projections 21 without fear of the catch 41 moving inadvertently to the unlock position.

Owing to dimensional and geometric tolerances in the wand 1, the forces applied to the catch 41 by the projections 21 and the bosses 34,35 may not have exactly the same line of action. Accordingly, when a push or pull force is applied to the wand 1, a torque may be exerted on the catch 41. However, any torque will be relatively small. Accordingly, even if the applied force is relatively strong, the resulting torque will be insufficient to move the catch 41 to the unlock position.

The inner tube 3 has a flat section 20 from which the projections 21 project. The flat section 20 is then wider than the projections 21 such that the flat section 20 extends along either side of each projection 21. This then has the benefit that the bosses 34,35 of the outer tube 3 can be located at approximately the same height as the projections 21 in a relatively compact manner In particular, the outer tube 3 may have an inner diameter that is only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner tube 2 so as to permit sliding movement. The flat section 20 on the top of the inner tube 2 then provides the space for the bosses 34,35 of the outer tube 3.

Whilst the outer tube 3 has both front bosses 34 and rear bosses 35, significant benefits may be achieved by having only front bosses 34 or only rear bosses 35. For example, when the wand 1 is used to manoeuvre a cleaner head over a surface, the push force applied to the wand 1 is generally greater than the pull force. The provision of rear bosses 35 would therefore enable a pivot to be employed that is capable of bearing the smaller pull force but would yield if subjected to the larger push force. As a further example, the pivot may be designed to bear both the push force and the pull force. The front bosses 34 may then be provided in order to prevent the catch 41 from moving inadvertently to the unlock position when a relatively strong pull force is applied to the wand 1.

The inner tube 3 has a plurality of recesses 22 into which the locking stub 44 of the catch 41 can project. This then has the benefit that the length of the wand 1 can be adjusted according to the height of the user or the intended use. Conceivably, however, the inner tube 3 may comprise a single recess 22 located between a single pair of projections 21. The locking stub 44 would then project into the recess 22 when the wand 1 is fully extended. Only one of the pair of projections 21 would then pass between both the front bosses 34 and the rear bosses 35 when the inner tube 2 slides relative to the outer tube 3; the other of the pair of projections 21 would pass between only the rear bosses 35. 

1. A telescopic wand for a vacuum cleaner, the wand comprising an inner tube, an outer tube, and a catch, wherein: the inner tube comprises a plurality of projections, the outer tube comprises a pair of bosses, and the catch comprises a locking stub; the catch is pivotally attached to the outer tube and pivots between a lock position and an unlock position; the locking stub projects into a recess between two of the projections when the catch is in the lock position, and the locking stub is lifted clear of the projections when the catch is in the unlock position; applying a push or pull force to the wand when the catch is in the lock position causes a first of the two projections to abut a side of the locking stub and the bosses to abut an opposite side of the locking stub; and applying the push or pull force to the wand when the catch is in the unlock position causes the inner tube to slide relative to the outer tube and a second of the two projections to pass between the bosses.
 2. The telescopic wand of claim 1, wherein the inner tube comprises a flat section from which the projections project, and the flat section is wider than the projections such that the flat section extends along either side of each projection.
 3. The telescopic wand of claim 2, wherein the inner tube has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a major segment of a circle or oval, and the flat surface corresponds to a chord of the major segment.
 4. The telescopic wand of claim 1, wherein the outer tube has a cross-sectional shape that is circular or oval.
 5. The telescopic wand of claim 1, wherein the catch pivots about a pivot point that is located above the projections.
 6. The telescopic wand of claim 1, wherein the outer tube comprises a pair of further bosses, applying a push force to the wand when the catch is in the lock position causes the first of the two projections to abut the side of the locking stub and the bosses to abut the opposite side of the locking stub, and applying a pull force to the wand when the catch is in the lock position causes the second of the two projections to abut the opposite side of the locking stub and the further bosses to abut the side of the locking stub.
 7. The telescopic wand of claim 6, wherein applying the push or pull force to the wand when the catch is in the unlock position causes the inner tube to slide relative to the outer tube and the first of the two projections to pass between the further bosses.
 8. The telescopic wand of claim 1, wherein applying the push or pull force to the wand when the catch is in the lock position causes the first of the projections to apply a first force to the locking stub and the bosses to apply a second force to the locking stub, and the second force is equal and opposite to the first force and has the same line of action as the first force.
 9. A telescopic wand for a vacuum cleaner, the wand comprising an inner tube, an outer tube, and a catch, wherein: the inner tube comprises a plurality of projections, the outer tube comprises a pair of bosses, and the catch comprises a locking stub; the catch is pivotally attached to the outer tube and pivots between a lock position and an unlock position; the locking stub projects into a recess between two of the projections when the catch is in the lock position, and the locking stub is lifted clear of the projections when the catch is in the unlock position; and applying a push or pull force to the wand when the catch is in the lock position causes a first of the two projections to apply a first force to the locking stub and the bosses to apply a second force to the locking stub, the second force being equal and opposite to the first force and having the same line of action as the first force.
 10. The telescopic wand of claim 9, wherein applying the push or pull force to the wand when the catch is in the unlock position causes the inner tube to slide relative to the outer tube and a second of the two projections to pass between the bosses.
 11. The telescopic wand of claim 9, wherein the outer tube comprises a pair of further bosses, applying a push force to the wand when the catch is in the lock position causes the first of the two projections to apply the first force to the locking stub, and applying a pull force to the wand when the catch is in the lock position causes a second of the two projections to apply a third force to the locking stub and the further bosses to apply a fourth force to the locking stub, and the fourth force is equal and opposite to the third force and has the same line of action as the third force.
 12. The telescopic wand of claim 11, wherein applying the push or pull force to the wand when the catch is in the unlock position causes the inner tube to slide relative to the outer tube and the first of the two projections to pass between the further bosses. 